Final answer:
When moving closer to the nucleus, each preceding orbit of electrons represents a lower energy level. This is because energy levels of an atom are discrete, they increase as we move away from the nucleus.
Step-by-step explanation:
As we move closer to the nucleus of an atom, each preceding orbit of electrons represent a lower energy level. This is because the energy levels of an atom are quantized, meaning they exist at specific, discrete values. The energy levels become progressively higher as one moves further away from the nucleus. These levels are often represented as concentric circles around the nucleus, with the innermost circle being the lowest energy level and the outermost circle being the highest. For example, in a hydrogen atom, the electron in the first orbit n=1 has the lowest energy level, while the second orbit n=2 has a higher energy level.
Learn more about Energy Levels of an Atom